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How the Linux kernel works | TuxRadar

tuxradar.com — The kernel is a piece of software that, roughly speaking, provides a layer between the hardware and the application programs running on a computer. In a strict, computer-science sense, the term 'Linux' refers only to the kernel - the bit that Linus Torvalds wrote in the early 90s.

Who dugg this? Made popular Mar 16, 2009

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  • joebaloney, on 03/16/2009, -0/+33Its an article about the "kernel" so why would it go on about GNU? And yes given its length it is clearly not meant to be an in-depth substitute for a book or an OS class.
    For what it is, its a very well written article if you don't like what it is go read a book.
  • Ragzouken, on 03/16/2009, -0/+20Well, there is no spoon().
  • acdcfanbill, on 03/16/2009, -2/+21all these years later, fork() still makes me giggle...
  • Stupidumb, on 03/16/2009, -1/+14Somethings tells me that you're the type of person to complain for the sole purpose of divulging just how much you know about the subject. You think you're so ***** great and knowledgeable that nothing meets your high standards and hey, why not just throw out some random information that you know, just so people see that and fawn over your user name. Who cares if it isn't relevant.

    Hey, have any cool advanced math formals you've memorized that you can post so we all know that you know? (Don't worry about the whole "Its an article about the 'kernel'" comments, you've proved your worth already)
  • richaoj, on 03/16/2009, -0/+10but you didn't. and yes. we do care.
  • Dylson, on 03/16/2009, -0/+9No.
  • pyrho, on 03/16/2009, -0/+9I think this article is just meant to be an introduction to what the linux kernel is. And it fills this purpose pretty well.
  • newmanium2001, on 03/16/2009, -0/+9I'm a UNIX admin and I still found a lot of things I didn't know about in this article. Very good read.

    The part about using lsmod and modprobe is a definite must-read for linux noobs out there.
  • rd1010, on 03/16/2009, -4/+12Interesting
  • inactive, on 03/16/2009, -1/+9Dugg, not only a good article, but not one mention of the words "Windows", "Microsoft" or "M$"
  • ABEL3616, on 03/16/2009, -0/+7You didn't leave much to the imagination
  • Jeezoflip, on 03/16/2009, -0/+7it was nice that they showed a diagram. i enjoyed reading that. always nice to see good tech articles like this on digg.
  • PhonicUK, on 03/16/2009, -0/+6forkpty() is incredibly fun :P and darn useful too!
  • ThantiK, on 03/16/2009, -0/+5[citation needed]
  • number11, on 03/16/2009, -0/+5One of the crappiest replies I read today so far !!!

    http://crappyspamblogthatnoonecaresabout.cheapskat ...
  • t0x2c, on 03/16/2009, -1/+6Then get a god damn book, install any distro that looks shiny, and take the time so you AREN'T one.
  • darkciti2, on 03/16/2009, -0/+5Linux does have a steep learning curve, but it's definitely worth it. Just don't give up and you'll get to enjoy the epiphanies as things start making sense and then before you know it, you'll be the tops!
  • feignNU, on 03/16/2009, -0/+5Good intro article. The stuff about kernel module management is pretty essential.
  • CountZepplin, on 03/16/2009, -4/+8<--- linux noob :(
  • bennyboyo, on 03/16/2009, -2/+6Nice article, very well-written.
  • FelixdaaHack, on 03/16/2009, -0/+4n00b
  • Fortune7, on 03/16/2009, -1/+5Good article. I heart GNU/Linux.
  • soundman07, on 04/02/2009, -0/+3YELLING AT ME GENERALLY GETS POSITIVE RESULTS!!!!!
  • sanskrtam, on 03/16/2009, -0/+3@rsmith32: "I want to put my penis in Tux's beak, if you know what I mean."

    You mean you're either a furry or have a penguin fetish without relating to Linux.
  • XxbladesfirexX, on 03/16/2009, -2/+5Linux <3
  • dawnraid101, on 03/16/2009, -2/+4WTF IS THAT *****.
  • Kto859, on 03/16/2009, -0/+2Damn, you ripped him one.
  • shadowspawn, on 04/03/2009, -0/+2My kernels come to understand life in the wrong way. They always seem to panic.
  • ThsGuyRightHere, on 03/16/2009, -0/+2Buried and reported as spam.
  • Blablah01, on 03/16/2009, -0/+1This is absolutely hilarious when you imagine it with a fairly high-pitched italian voice, a very slight Borat-like accent and a touch of madness.

    Apart from that i agree with Dylson.
  • mycoplasma, on 03/16/2009, -0/+1"It also completely glazes over how scheduling actually works."

    Use the Source, Luke!
  • aamer, on 03/16/2009, -0/+1This is a good start. When you're really ready to dig in and understand all the details, pick up a copy of Understanding the Linux Kernel (published by O'Reilly).
  • FelixdaaHack, on 03/16/2009, -2/+3dick n balls linux?
  • Axon14, on 03/16/2009, -1/+2That was excellent, thank you!
  • TomKarpik, on 04/02/2009, -1/+2Credit for the clean design of UNIX syscalls should be given where appropriate. Linux did not invent this. Linux re-implemented someone else's design in its own (and some would argue, less clean) way.
  • Garciat, on 03/16/2009, -0/+1And no spork() for that matter.
  • MagicBobert, on 03/16/2009, -0/+1That's a network card, not a TV tuner. You wire up a 10Base2 Ethernet network with BNC cables. It declined in popularity after Ethernet over twisted pair with RJ45 jacks showed up.
  • irishjays, on 03/16/2009, -1/+1I was hoping for more pictures
  • ravage86, on 03/16/2009, -1/+1Don't listen to the diagram. Linux doesn't use your tv tuner for networking.
  • inactive, on 03/16/2009, -2/+1More interesting: www.qnx.com
  • inactive, on 03/16/2009, -3/+1Nice but the idea to get Linux accepted on the desktop is that the kernel is invisible. I should be able to point and click for everything. The HP Mie interface (based on Ubuntu Heron) is the closest I've seen any company come to achieving this.
  • >mark, on 03/17/2009, -5/+2go fork a child
  • angryfirelord, on 03/16/2009, -6/+2Now it just has to catch up to FreeBSD's stability....
  • skeptictank, on 03/16/2009, -7/+1ur kernel is klinking
  • Sammi84, on 03/16/2009, -11/+3Has anyone else started to autodigg these new Linux articles from tuxradar.com?

    They're really great, all of them.
  • kaleworsley, on 03/16/2009, -12/+2http://www.tuxradar.com/content/how-linux-kernel-w ...

    lol.
  • syntaxgs, on 03/16/2009, -13/+2This was just post Eigt hour ago WTF =/
  • inactive, on 03/16/2009, -11/+0One of the good article I read today so far!!!


    http://youropinions101.blogspot.com/
  • inactive, on 03/16/2009, -16/+1Eh I could write something like that in a few days.
    Not impressive, buried.

    But really, does anyone who doesn't major in Computer Science really understand/care?
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